Basket Carrier Including Open-Top Basket And Lid

ABSTRACT

A basket carrier is disclosed. The carrier includes an open-top basket and a lid for the basket. The basket includes a vertically-extending handle, a pair of side walls foldably connected to the handle by a plurality of divider walls, a pair of end walls foldably connected to the side walls and the handle, and a bottom wall formed by bottom flaps foldably connected to the side walls. The side walls, end walls, divider walls and handle together define a plurality of compartments for holding containers, such as bottles or cans. The handle may include a plurality of handle flaps that are partially separable from the handle to provide comfortable gripping surfaces for a user&#39;s hand. The lid includes a top panel for covering a top area of the basket, side panels for covering the side walls of the basket, and adhesive flaps detachably connected to the side panels for attaching the lid to the basket. A handle opening is provided in the top panel, laterally offset from the handle, to provide access to the handle of the basket. Blanks for forming the lid basket and lid are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/496,682, filed Jul. 2, 2009, which is a continuation of InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2008/050971, filed Jan. 14, 2008, entitled “BasketCarrier Including Open-Top Basket,” which designates the United Statesof America and which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/880,269, filed Jan. 12, 2007, U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/880,202, filed Jan. 12, 2007, and U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/880,221, filed Jan. 12, 2007.

BACKGROUND

Conventional open-top, paperboard baskets for carrying containers suchas bottles and cans are often difficult and uncomfortable to carry.Particularly, the handles of traditional basket carriers often includethin-walled members with relatively sharp edges that cause discomfort toa person gripping the handle. In addition to being uncomfortable togrip, the handles in traditional basket carriers can often inflict cutsand abrasions on the hands of people carrying them.

Conventional open-top baskets typically also leave the containers heldtherein largely unprotected, as significant portions of the containersare not covered by the basket.

In view of the issues discussed above, it is desirable to provide abasket carrier including an open-top basket having an improved handlethat is comfortable for gripping. It is also desirable to provide such abasket carrier with a detachable lid for covering the basket andprotecting the containers held therein.

SUMMARY

The entire disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/496,682,International Application No. PCT/US2008/050971, U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/880,269, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/880,202,and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/880,221 are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety as though fully set forth herein.

A basket carrier for carrying containers, such as bottles or cans, isdisclosed. The basket carrier includes an improved basket and animproved lid for covering the basket.

According to one exemplary embodiment, a basket carrier includes abasket and a lid covering the basket. The basket may comprise a firstbasket side wall, a second basket side wall extending parallel to firstbasket side wall, a first basket end wall extending orthogonally betweenthe first and second basket side walls, a second basket end wallextending between the first and second basket side walls parallel to thefirst basket end wall, a bottom wall extending between the first andsecond basket side walls and the first and second basket end walls,container compartments for holding containers, and a handle extendingparallel to the basket side walls between the first and second basketend walls. The handle may include one or more grip openings for grippingthe handle. The lid may include a horizontally extending lid top wallpositioned over the handle, a downwardly extending first lid side wallfoldably connected to a first lateral side of the lid top wall andpositioned over the first basket side wall, a downwardly extendingsecond lid side wall foldably connected to a second lateral side of thelid top wall and positioned over the second basket side wall, and ahandle opening disposed in the lid top wall to allow a hand to accessthe handle.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a basket for carryingcontainers includes a first side wall, a second side wall extendingparallel to first side wall, a first end wall extending orthogonallybetween the first and second side walls, a second end wall extendingbetween the first and second side walls parallel to the first end wall,a bottom wall extending between the first and second side walls and thefirst and second end walls, a handle extending parallel to the sidewalls between the first and second end walls, first containercompartments disposed on a first side of the basket; and secondcontainer compartments disposed on a second side of the basket. Thehandle may include a first handle portion and a second handle portionpositioned against each other in back-to-back relationship. The firsthandle portion and the second handle portion may each be formed as asubstantially flat panel. The handle may also include one or more firsthandle flaps formed in the first handle portion and one or more secondhandle flaps formed in the second handle portion and aligned with theone or more first handle flaps. The one or more first handle flaps maybe at least partially separable from the first handle portion and theone or more second handle flaps may be at least partially separable fromthe second handle portion to form an opening for gripping the handle.The one or more first handle flaps and the one or more second handleflaps may further be foldable to form substantially flat grippingsurfaces extending transversely to the first and second handle portions.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a basket lid may include ahorizontally extending top wall, a downwardly extending first side wallfoldably connected to a first lateral side of the top wall along a firstfold line, a downwardly extending second side wall foldably connected toa second lateral side of the top wall a second fold line, and a handleopening disposed in the top wall and laterally offset from a centralaxis of the top wall extending parallel to the first and second foldlines, wherein the handle opening is configured to receive a person'shand.

Exemplary embodiments of blanks for forming a basket and a lid accordingto are also disclosed.

Other embodiments and aspects will become apparent to those of ordinaryskill in view of the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an outer side of a blank from which abasket of a basket carrier is formed.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are plan views of the blank of FIG. 1 folded into ashipping or storage configuration.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the blank of FIG. 1 folded fromthe configuration of FIG. 2 into an unfinished basket configuration.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of a basket erected from the blankof FIGS. 1-3B.

FIG. 4C is a bottom view of the basket of FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the basket of FIGS. 4A-4C loaded withcontainers.

FIG. 5 shows a handle of the basket of FIGS. 4A-4D.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank from which a lid for the basket carrieris formed.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a lid formed from the blank of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views of a basket carrier including thebasket of FIGS. 4A-4D and the lid of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a basket carrier or carton 400 including a basket 110and a lid 300, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. The features of the basket 110, the lid 300 and blanks forforming the basket and the lid are described below with reference toFIGS. 1-7.

FIG. 1 shows an outer side of a blank 10 for an open-top basket 110(FIGS. 4A-4D) of a basket carrier 400 (FIGS. 8 and 9). The blank 10 maybe constructed, for example, of paperboard or another suitable material.The blank 10 includes a first upper panel 20, a second upper panel 40foldably connected to a first lateral edge of the first upper panel 20along a central longitudinal fold line 34, and a side adhesive flap, orfastening flap 60 connected to a second lateral edge of the upper panel20 along a longitudinal fold line 32. The blank 10 further includes afirst bottom closure flap 70 foldably connected to a bottom edge of thefirst upper panel 20 along a lateral fold line 73, a first bottomadhesive flap 80 foldably connected to the bottom edge of the firstupper panel 20 along a lateral fold line 82, a second bottom closureflap 90 foldably connected to a bottom edge of the second upper panel 40along a lateral fold line 93, and a second bottom adhesive flap 100foldably connected to the bottom edge of the upper panel 40 along a foldline 102.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper panels 20, 40 are substantiallyrectangular and each include: a basket side wall portion 20 a, 40 a; abasket end wall portion 20 b, 40 b disposed adjacent to the side wallportion 20 a, 40 a at a right region of the panel 20, 40; a basket endwall reinforcement portion 20 c, 40 c disposed at an upper left regionof the panel 20, 40; a basket handle portion 20 d, 40 d disposed at acentral region of the panel 20, 40 above the side wall portion 20 a, 40a; a first transverse divider wall portion 20 e, 40 e disposed adjacentto the end wall reinforcement panel portion 20 c, 40 c, between thehandle portion 20 d, 40 d and the sidewall portion 20 a, 40 a; and asecond transverse divider wall portion 20 f, 40 f disposed adjacent tothe first transverse divider wall portion 20 e, 40 e, between the handleportion 20 d, 40 d and the sidewall portion 20 a, 40 a. The upper panels20, 40 are also shown to have radiused upper corners 20 g, 40 g, whichincrease open area in the erected basket 110 and improve the aestheticsof the basket. It should be understood, however, that the upper panels20, 40 may be have a shape that varies from the substantiallyrectangular shape shown.

The handle portions 20 d, 40 d each optionally include a pair ofadjacent handle grip elements or flaps 28. The handle grip elements 28are each formed by a substantially U-shaped cut line 29 having endpoints29 a, 29 b, a convex fold line 30 extending between the endpoints 29 a,29 b, and a concave fold line 31 extending between the endpoints 29 a,29 b below convex the fold line 30. As will be described later, thehandle grip elements 28 can be partially separated from the handleportion 20 d and folded to expose handle openings 172 (FIGS. 4A, 4B and5) for gripping by a person's hand.

The upper panel 20 includes a plurality of laterally-spaced, diagonallyextending container compartment cut lines 21, 22, 23 positioned bellowthe handle portion 20 d, and a plurality of laterally-spaced,longitudinally extending interior fold lines 24, 25, 26. The cut lines21, 22, 23 preferably extend entirely or substantially entirely throughthe thickness of the blank 10 such that the cut lines 21, 22, 23 can beopened to form compartments 190 (FIG. 4A) for bottles, cans or othercontainers C (FIG. 4D), as will be described later. Although the cutlines 21, 22, 23 are shown to be generally S-shaped, they may instead besubstantially straight or have other suitable shapes. The arrangement ofthe cut lines 21, 22, 23 and the fold lines 24, 25, 26 is discussedbelow.

The outermost container compartment cut line 21 extends from a lower end21 a, which intersects the fold line 32, to an upper end 21 b. Theoutermost interior fold line 24 extends from the upper edge of the panel20 and is bisected into an upper segment 24 a and a lower segment 24 bby the cut line 21. The middle cut line 22 extends from a lower end 22a, which intersects a lower end of the interior fold line 24, to anupper end 22 b. The middle interior fold line 25 extends from the upperend 21 a of the cut line 21 to a lower end 23 a of the innermostcontainer cut line 23. The fold line 25 is bisected into an uppersegment 25 a and a lower segment 25 b by the cut line 22. The containercompartment cut line 23 extends from its lower end 23 a to an upper end23 b. The innermost interior fold line 26 extends from the upper end 22b of the cut line 22 to the bottom edge of the panel 20, where itintersects the lateral fold lines 73, 82. The fold line 26 is bisectedinto an upper segment 26 a and a lower segment 26 b by the innermostcontainer compartment cut line 23.

The panel 20 also includes a series of longitudinally extending slits orfold lines 36 extending between the upper end 23 b of the cut line 23and the upper edge 27 of the panel 20. The slits/fold lines 36facilitate folding of the end wall portion 20 b.

As can be understood from the foregoing description and FIG. 1, the sidewall portion 20 a is defined by the area outlined by the lower portionof the fold line 32, the lower portion of the cut lines 21, 22, 23 theline segments 24 b, 25 b, 26 b, and the fold line 73. The end wallportion 20 b is defined by the area outlined by the line segment 26 b,the upper portion of the cut line 23, the slits/fold lines 36, the upperedge 27 of the panel 20 the fold line 34, and the fold line 82. The endwall reinforcement portion 20 c is formed in the area outlined by theupper portion of the fold line 32, the upper edge 27 of the panel 20,the line segment 24 a and the lower portion of the cut line 21. Thehandle portion 20 d is defined in the area outlined by the line segments24 a, 25 a, 26 a the upper edge 27 of the panel 20, the slits/fold lines36 and the upper portions of the cut lies 21, 22, 23. The divider panelportion 20 e is formed in the area outlined by the upper portion of thecut line 21, the lower portion of cut line 22, the line segment 24 b andthe line segment 25 a. The divider panel 20 f is defined in the areasurrounded by the upper portion of the cut line 22, the lower portion ofthe cut line 23, the line segment 25 b and the line segment 26 a.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the second upper panel 40 is similar to thefirst upper panel 20. The upper panel 40 includes a plurality oflaterally-spaced, diagonally extending container compartment cut lines41, 42, 43 positioned bellow the handle portion 40 d, and a plurality oflaterally-spaced, longitudinally extending interior fold lines 44, 45,46. In accordance with the embodiment shown in the drawings, the cutlines 41, 42, 43 have the same shape, structure and relative spacing asthe cut lines 21, 22, 23 such that the cut lines 41, 42, 43 can beopened to form compartments 190 (FIG. 4B) for containers C (FIG. 4D).

The innermost container compartment cut line 41 extends from a lower end21 a, which intersects the central fold line 34, to an upper end 41 b.The innermost interior fold line 44 extends from the upper edge of thepanel 40 and is bisected into an upper segment 44 a and a lower segment44 b by the cut line 41. The middle cut line 42 extends from a lower end42 a, which intersects a lower end of the interior fold line 44, to anupper end 42 b. The middle interior fold line 45 extends from the upperend of the cut line 21 to a lower end 43 a of the outermost containercompartment cut line 43. The fold line 45 is bisected into an uppersegment 45 a and a lower segment 45 b by the cut line 42. The outermostcontainer compartment cut line 43 extends from its lower end 43 a to anupper end 43 b. The outermost interior fold line 46 extends from theupper end 42 a of the cut line 42 to the bottom edge of the panel 40,where it intersects the lateral fold lines 93, 102. The fold line 46 isbisected into an upper segment 46 a and a lower segment 46 b by theoutermost container compartment cut line 43.

The panel 40 also includes a series of longitudinally extending slits orfold lines 56 (similar to slits/fold lines 36) extending between theupper end 43 b of the cut line 43 and the upper edge 47 of the panel 40.

The side wall portion 40 a is defined by the area outlined by the lowerportion of the fold line 34, the lower portion of the cut lines 41, 42,43 the line segments 44 b, 45 b, 46 b, and the fold line 93. The endwall portion 40 b is defined by the area outlined by the line segment 46b, the upper portion of the cut line 43, the slits/fold lines 56, theupper edge 47 of the panel 40, the outer lateral edge 49 of the panel 40and the fold line 102. The end wall reinforcement portion 40 c is formedin the area outlined by the upper portion of the fold line 34, the upperedge 47 of the panel 40, the line segment 44 a and the lower portion ofthe cut line 41. The handle portion 40 d is defined in the area outlinedby the line segments 44 a, 45 a, 46 a the upper edge 47 of the panel 40,the slits/fold lines 56 and the upper portions of the cut lies 41, 42,43. The divider panel portion 40 e is formed in the area outlined by theupper portion of the cut line 41, the lower portion of cut line 42, theline segment 44 b and the line segment 45 a. The divider panel 40 f isdefined in the area surrounded by the upper portion of the cut line 42,the lower portion of the cut line 43, the line segment 45 b and the linesegment 46 a.

The panel 40 may also be provided with an adhesive in the schematicallyillustrated region 48 near the outer lateral edge 49 of the end wallportion 40 b for attaching the adhesive flap 60 thereto, as shown inFIG. 2A.

Due to the arrangement described above, the cut lines 21, 22,23/41,42,43 and the fold lines 24, 25, 26/44, 45, 46 together allowfolding of the side wall portion 20 a/40 a, the end wall portion 20 b/40b, the end wall reinforcement portion 20 c/40 c and the transversedivider wall portions 20 e, 20 f/40 e, 40 f, and allow partialseparation of the side wall portion 20 a/40 a from the end wallreinforcement portion 20 c/40 c, the handle portion 20 d/40 d and thetransverse divider wall portions 20 e, 20 f/40 e, 40 f to form threecontainer compartments 190 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) on each side of the basket110. Thus, the basket 110, as configured, provides six containercompartments 190. However, one of skill in the art will understand thatthe number of compartments can be increased or decreased by increasingor decreasing the number of cut lines 21, 22, 23/41,42,43 and fold lines24, 25, 26/44, 45, 46.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the bottom closure flaps 70, 90 each includea major flap member 72, 92 that is generally trapezoidal in shape, and agenerally trapezoidal minor flap member 74, 94 attached to the majorflap member along a diagonal fold line 75, 95. Interlocking notches 77,97 are provided between the major flap members 72, 92 and the minor flapmembers 74, 94 in middle lateral regions of the flaps 70, 90 tofacilitate interlocking locking engagement of the flaps 70, 90 with eachother in the erected basket 110. Clearance notches 76, 96 are alsoprovided between the major flap members 72, 92 and the minor flapmembers 74, 94 at lateral edges near the intersection points of thelateral fold lines 73, 93 and the longitudinal fold lines 32, 34 toprovide clearance during folding of the flaps 70, 90. Zig-zag shapedportions 73 a, 93 a may also be provided in the fold lines 73, 93 tofacilitate folding of the flaps 70, 90 during erection of the basket110.

The bottom adhesive flaps 80, 100 may be generally trapezoidal in shapeto provide clearance with respect to the upper panels 20, 40 duringfolding of the blank 10 to erect the basket 110. The adhesive flaps 80,100 may also include schematically illustrated adhesive regions 84, 104on their inner surfaces for securing the bottom closure flaps 70, 80 tothe adhesive flaps 80, 100.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the blank 10 folded into an example of what can bereferred to as a storage or shipping configuration. In thisconfiguration, the upper panels 20, 40 are folded together such thatthey lie substantially flat with their inside or back surfaces facingeach other (i.e., back-to-back). The handle portions 20 d, 40 d may beadhered together to prevent relative movement between them, and the sideadhesive flap 60 is folded downward about the fold line 32 such that theback side of the side adhesive flap 60 is adhered to the adhesive region48 of the end wall portion 40 b. In this configuration, the side wallportions 20 a, 40 a are laterally offset from each other, the handleportions 20 d, 40 d are aligned back-to-back with each other, the endwall portion 40 b is aligned back-to-back with the end wallreinforcement portion 20 c, the end wall portion 20 b is alignedback-to-back with the end wall reinforcement portion 40 c. From thisconfiguration, the blank 10 may easily be erected into a basket 110.

The process of erecting a basket 110 from the blank 10 is illustrated inFIGS. 3A-4C and will be described in the following, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention. In a first step illustrated in FIGS. 3Aand 3B, the blank 10 in the shipping configuration may be folded intothe partially erected basket formation shown in FIG. 3 by,simultaneously: retaining the end wall reinforcement portion 40 cagainst the end wall portion 20 b; retaining the end wall reinforcementportion 20 c against the end wall portion 40 b; forcing the side wallportion 20 a to fold outward, transversely to the lateral andlongitudinal directions of the blank 10, about the lower portion of thefold line 32 and the lower segment 26 b of the fold line 26, such thatthe sidewall portion 20 a extends substantially parallel to the handleportion 20 d; forcing the side wall portion 40 a to fold outward,transversely to the lateral and longitudinal directions of the blank 10,about the lower portion of the fold line 34 and the lower segment 46 bof the fold line 46, such that the sidewall portion 40 a extendssubstantially parallel to the side wall portion 46 a and the handleportion 40 d; forcing the end wall portion 20 b to fold about the linesegment 26 b, the slits/fold lines 36, and the fold line 34 such thatthe end wall portion 20 b extends substantially orthogonally to the sidewall portions 20 a, 40 a; and forcing the end wall portion 40 b to foldabout the line segment 46 b, the slits/fold lines 56, and the fold line32 of the side adhesive flap 60 (which is attached to the end wallportion 40 b) such that the end wall portion 40 b extends substantiallyorthogonally to the side wall portions 20 a, 40 a and parallel to theend wall portion 20 b. Folding the blank in this manner causes thetransverse divider wall portions 20 e, 20 f/40 e, 40 f to fold so as toextend transversely to the side wall portions 20 a/40 a and the handleportions 20 d/40 d. Specifically, the divider wall portions 20 e, 40 efold about the lower line segments 24 b, 44 b of the fold lines 24, 44and the respective upper line segments 25 a, 45 a of the fold lines 25,45; while the divider wall portions 201, 40 f fold about the respectivelower line segments 25 b, 45 b of the fold lines 25, 45 and therespective upper line segments 26 a, 46 a of the fold lines 26, 46.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the bottom adhesive flaps 80, 100 in theformation of FIG. 3 are folded inward, and the bottom closure flaps 70,90 are folded inward into interlocking engagement with each other withthe minor flap members 74, 94 adhered to the inner surfaces of theadhesive flaps 100, 80. The bottom closure flaps 70, 90 are interlockedsuch that the interlocking notches 77, 97 engage each other, the majorflap member 72 lies over the adhesive flap 80, and the major flap member92 lies over the adhesive flap 100. Thus, the closure flaps 70, 90 aresecured in a position substantially orthogonal to the side wall portions20 a, 40 a and the end wall portions 20 b, 40 b, thereby forming abottom wall 160, completing the erection of the basket 110. Differentlyconfigured bottom walls may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 4A-4D, the basket 110 includes: first and second sidewalls 20 a, 40 a; first and second end walls 20 b, 40 b extendingorthogonally between the side walls 20 a, 40 a at opposite ends of theside walls; a bottom wall 160 formed by the bottom closure flaps 70, 90,which are respectively connected to the first and second side walls 20a, 40 a along the fold lines 73, 93, and the bottom adhesive flaps 80,100, which are respectively connected to the first and second end walls20 b, 40 b; a handle 170 formed by first and second handle portions 20d, 40 d in a center region of the basket 110 and extending between theend walls 20 b, 40 b above and parallel to the side walls 20 a, 40 a;first and second divider walls 20 e, 20 f extending at an inclined anglefrom the first side wall 20 a to the handle 170; third and fourthdivider walls 40 e, 40 f extending at an inclined angle from the secondside wall 40 a to the handle 170; and a plurality of containercompartments 190 defined on opposing sides of the basket 110.

The end wall reinforcement portions 20 c, 40 c form reinforcing wallsdisposed parallel to the end walls 40 b, 20 b in back-to-backrelationship with the end walls 20 b, 40 b. As can be seen in FIGS. 4Aand 4B, the reinforcement walls 20 c, 40 c reinforce the end walls 40 b,20 b and support the handle portions 20 d, 40 d.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the container compartments 190 on a first side ofthe basket 110 are defined by the first side wall 20 a, the first handleportion 20 d, the first and second end walls 20 b, 40 b, the firstreinforcing wall 20 b, and the bottom wall 160. Turning to FIG. 4B, thecontainer compartments 190 on the second side of the basket 110 aredefined by the second side wall 40 a, the second handle portion 40 d,the first and second end walls 20 b, 40 b, the second reinforcing wall40 b, and the bottom wall 160.

The handle 170 is configured such that the handle portions 20 d, 40 dform substantially flat handle panels aligned in a back-to-backconfiguration with the grip elements 28 in the handle portion 20 d beingaligned with the grip elements 28 in the handle portion 40 d.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the first side wall 20 a and the first end wall 20b are connected along the segment 26 b of the fold line 26. The firstdivider wall 20 e is connected to the first handle portion 20 d alongthe segment 25 a of the fold line 25 and is connected to the first sidewall 20 a along the segment 24 b of the fold line 24. The second dividerwall 20 f is connected to the first handle portion 20 d along thesegment 26 a of fold line 26 and is connected to the first side wall 20a along the segment 25 b of the fold line 25 The first reinforcing wall20 c is connected to the first handle portion 20 d along the segment 24a of the fold line 24. The first side wall 20 a and the firstreinforcing wall 20 c are connected to the second end wall 40 b by theadhesive flap 60, which extends parallel to the second end wall 40 b andis connected to first side wall 20 a and the first reinforcing wall 20 calong the fold line 32.

Turning to FIG. 4B, the second side wall 40 a and the second end wall 40b are connected along the segment 46 b of the fold line 46. The thirddivider wall 40 e is connected to the second handle portion 40 d alongthe segment 45 a of the fold line 45 and is connected to the first sidewall 40 a along the segment 44 b of the fold line 44. The fourth dividerwall 40 f is connected to the second handle portion 40 d along thesegment 46 a of the fold line 46 and is connected to the second sidewall 40 a along the segment 45 b of the fold line 45. The secondreinforcing wall 40 c is connected to the second handle portion 40 dalong the segment 44 a of the fold line 44. The second side wall 40 aand the second reinforcing wall 40 c are connected to the first end wall20 b along the fold line 34.

As best shown in FIG. 5, to facilitate carrying the basket 110, eachhandle grip element 28 can be partially separated from the respectivehandle portion 20 d, 40 d and folded outward about the fold line 30 toexpose a pair of handle openings 172 and to cause the portion 28 b ofthe grip element 28 between the convex fold line 30 and the concave foldline 31 to extend transversely to the remainder of the handle 170. Thus,the inner surface of the portion 28 b of the grip element 28 forms alateral gripping surface against which a person's fingers can rest whenthe handle 170 is gripped. The portion 28 a of the grip element 28defined within the fold line 31 and the U-shaped cut line 29 can befolded further upward, in the direction U, about the fold line 31 suchthat the inner surface of the portion 28 a forms a substantiallyvertical gripping surface for a person's fingers. Thus, the finger gripelements 28 form large, comfortable surfaces that can be gripped by aperson's fingers while reducing the likelihood that the handle 170 willinjure or irritate a person's hand while carrying the basket 110.

FIG. 6 shows the outer surface of a blank 200 for forming a lid 300 of abasket carrier 400 (FIGS. 7A and 7B). The blank 200 includes: arectangular top wall panel 210 disposed at a center of the blank; a pairof substantially rectangular side wall panels 220 foldably connected toopposite lateral sides of the top wall panel 210 along longitudinallyextending fold lines 212; a pair of trapezoidal web panels 230 foldablyconnected to ends of the top wall panel 210 and foldably connected tothe side wall panels 220; and a pair of adhesive flaps 250 foldably anddetachably connected to the side wall panels 220 along lines of weakness252 (e.g., tear lines). The adhesive flaps 250 may include adhesive ontheir inner surfaces for attaching the flaps 250 to the basket 110, aswill be described later.

The web panels 230 each include a rectangular panel member 232 foldablyconnected to the top wall panel 210 along a laterally extending foldline 214. Each web panel 230 further includes a pair of gusset members234 foldably connected to the rectangular panel member 232 and one ofthe side wall panels 220. Each of the gusset members 234 is connected toa respective one of the panel members 232 along a longitudinal fold line236, which is collinear with a respective one of the fold lines 212.Each gusset member 234 is also connected to a respective one of the sidewall panels 220 along a diagonal fold line 222.

The top wall panel 210 includes a handle opening 216 which is sized andshaped to expose the handle 170 of the basket 110 and to accommodate aperson's hand when the blank is formed into the lid 300 on the basket.The handle opening 216 has an oval shape and extends lengthwise in thelongitudinal direction of blank 200. The opening 216 is laterally offsetfrom a central longitudinal axis Y (extending parallel to the fold lines212) of the top wall panel 210 to provide better access to the handle170, as will be described in more detail later. A plurality of openings224 are provided near laterally inner regions of the side wall panels220 for receiving the tops of containers C held within the basket 110.The openings 224 are spaced to correspond to the container compartments190 in the basket 110. As shown in FIG. 8, the openings 224 maypartially extend across the fold lines 212 into the top wall panel 210.Weakening patterns 226 are provided in the side wall panels 220laterally adjacent to the openings 224. Each weakening pattern 226 mayinclude a plurality of lines of weakness (e.g., slits and/or tearlines), such as a central line of weakness 226 a extending laterallyfrom the opening 224 and a pair of diagonal lines of weakness 226 bdisposed on opposite sides of the central line of weakness 226 a. itshould be understood that, although any number of openings 224 may beprovided, the openings 224 should be equal in number to the containercompartments 290 of the basket 110.

FIG. 7 shows a lid 300 formed by the blank 200. To form the lid 300, theside wall panels 220 are folded towards each other about the fold lines212 such that the side wall panels 220 and adhesive flaps 250 extendtransversely to the top wall panel 210 and the back sides of the sidepanels 220 face each other. The rectangular panel members 232 are foldedinward towards each other about the fold lines 214 such that therectangular panel members 232 extend and transversely to the side panels220 and the top wall panel 210. The gusset members 234 are folded aboutthe fold lines 236, 222 such that the gusset members 234 extendtransversely between the respective side panel 220 and rectangular panelmember 232.

Thus, as indicated in FIG. 7, the lid 300 includes a substantiallyhorizontal top wall 210, substantially downwardly extending side walls220 connected to opposite sides of the top wall 210 along fold lines212, a pair of trapezoidal web panels 230 formed foldably connected toopposite ends of the top panel 210 and to the side panels 220, and apair of adhesive flaps 250 foldably and detachably connected to the sidewalls 220 along the lines of weakness 252. The lid is configured suchthat the handle access opening 216 is laterally offset from the centrallongitudinal axis L of the top wall 210. The lid 300 is also configuredsuch that the container top openings 224 and weakening patterns 226positioned in upper portions of the side walls 220, with the openings224 extending partially into the top wall 210.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, to form the basket carrier 400, the lid 300is first positioned over the basket 110 such that each of the side walls220 of the lid 300 is aligned with a side wall 20 a/40 a of the basket110, and the top wall 210 of the lid 300 is positioned over the handle170. The lid 300 is then attached to basket by attaching the adhesiveflaps 250 to the side walls 20 a, 40 a.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the carrier 400 is formed such that theside walls 320 of the lid 300 cover the side walls 20 a, 40 a and thecontainer compartments 190 of the basket 110, and the top wall 310 ofthe lid 300 extends over the handle 170 of the basket 110 to cover theopen top of the basket 110. Each of the container top openings 224 isaligned with and positioned above one of the container compartments 190,and the handle access opening 216 is laterally offset from the handle170, with the handle 170 being positioned beneath the opening 216.Although the handle access opening 216 is laterally offset from thehandle 170, the handle 170 may be positioned within or close to theperimeter 218 of the opening 216 to provide optimum access to the handle170. Therefore, a person can easily grab and carry the carrier 400 byinserting his hand into the opening 216, inserting his fingers throughthe handle openings 172, and gripping the handle 170. The relativepositioning of the handle 170 and the opening 216 provides generousspace for a person's hand and comfortable positioning of the hand in thecarrier 400.

To remove containers C from the carrier 400 with the lid installed, thecontainers C can be pulled through the openings 224. As containers C arepulled through the openings 224, the weakening patterns 226 willpartially separate from the side walls 320, thereby expanding theopenings 226 to facilitate removal of the containers.

Access to the containers C can also be gained by detaching the sidewalls 220 from the adhesive flaps 250 along lines of weakness 252, suchthat the adhesive flaps 250 remain attached to the side walls 20 a, 40 aof the basket 110 and the remainder of the lid 300 is removed from thebasket 110.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, the cartons (i.e., basketand lid) may be constructed of paperboard, for example. The paperboardwebs used to form the blank may be thicker and heavier than ordinarypaper. The blanks, and thus the carton and lid, can also be constructedof other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material havingproperties suitable for enabling the cartons to function at leastgenerally as described above. For example, the blanks may be formed fromcoated solid unbleached sulfate (SUS) board. The blanks can also belaminated to or coated with one or more web-like materials at selectedpanels or panel sections.

One or more panels of the blanks discussed above can be coated withvarnish, clay, or other materials, either alone or in combination. Thecoating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and otherinformation or images. The blanks may also be coated to protect anyinformation printed on the blank. The blanks may be coated with, forexample, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of theblanks.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line or line ofweakness can be any substantially linear, although not necessarilystraight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. Morespecifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of thepresent invention, fold lines include: a score line, such as linesformed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushedportion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut thatextends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness,and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completelythrough the material along the desired line of weakness; and variouscombinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used tocreate a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensivein a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly considerthe fold line to be a tear line. A pattern of weakness can be anypattern which serves as a form of weakening to facilitate folding ortearing.

The term “line” as used herein includes not only straight lines, butalso other types of lines such as curved, curvilinear or angularlydisplaced lines.

In the present specification, a “panel” need not be flat or otherwiseplanar. A “panel” can, for example, comprise a plurality ofinterconnected generally flat or planar sections.

In the present specification, reference is made to various directions,such as “vertical,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” variations thereof. Itshould be understood that such descriptions are provided to facilitateunderstanding of the relative orientation of various elements describedherein, and are not intended to be limiting.

The foregoing description of the invention illustrates and describes thepresent invention. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes onlyselected embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood thatthe invention is capable of use in various other combinations,modifications, and environments and is capable of changes ormodifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressedherein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skillor knowledge of the relevant art.

We claim:
 1. A blank for forming a basket suitable for carrying a plurality of containers, the blank comprising: a first upper panel, wherein the first upper panel includes a first handle portion; a second upper panel foldably connected to an inner lateral edge of the first upper panel along a central fold line, wherein the second upper panel includes a second handle portion; a side adhesive flap connected to an outer lateral edge of the first upper panel along a first longitudinal fold line, wherein the side adhesive flap is configured to be attached to the second upper panel; a first bottom closure flap foldably connected to a bottom edge of the first upper panel along a first lateral fold line; and a second bottom closure flap foldably connected to a bottom edge of the second upper panel along a second lateral fold line.
 2. The blank of claim 1, wherein: the first handle portion includes at least one first handle flap that is partially separable from the first handle portion; the second handle portion includes at least one second handle flap that is partially separable from the second handle portion; and the at least one first handle flap and the at least one second handle flap are each at least partially defined by a substantially U-shaped cut line.
 3. The blank of claim 2, wherein the at least one first handle flap and the at least one second handle flap are each at least partially defined by a convex fold line extending between endpoints of the substantially U-shaped cut line and a concave fold line extending between the endpoints of the substantially U-shaped cut line below the convex fold line.
 4. The blank of claim 1, wherein: the first upper panel comprises first substantially diagonally extending cut lines laterally spaced from each other, and first longitudinally extending interior fold lines laterally spaced from each other; the second upper panel comprises second substantially diagonally extending cut lines laterally spaced from each other, and second longitudinally extending interior fold lines laterally spaced from each other; each of the first substantially diagonally extending cut lines bisects one of the first longitudinally extending interior fold lines; and each of the second substantially diagonally extending cut lines bisects one of the second longitudinally extending interior fold lines.
 5. The blank of claim 4, wherein: the first substantially diagonally extending cut lines and the first longitudinally extending interior fold lines together at least partially define a first side wall portion, a first end wall portion, a first end wall reinforcement portion, the first handle portion and at least one first divider wall portion; and the second substantially diagonally extending cut lines and the second longitudinally extending interior fold lines together at least partially define a second side wall portion, a second end wall portion, a second end wall reinforcement portion, the second handle portion and at least one second divider wall portion.
 6. The blank of claim 4, wherein the first substantially diagonally extending cut lines and the second substantially diagonally extending cut lines are substantially S-shaped.
 7. The blank of claim 4, wherein: the first upper panel includes a first group of longitudinal slits that partially defines the first end wall; and the second upper panel includes a second group of longitudinal slits that partially defines the second end wall.
 8. The blank of claim 1, comprising: a first bottom glue flap connected to the bottom edge of the first upper panel along a third lateral fold line, and configured to be attached to the second bottom closure flap; and a second bottom glue flap connected to the bottom edge of the second upper panel along a fourth lateral fold line, and configured to be attached to the first bottom closure flap.
 9. The blank of claim 1, wherein the first bottom closure flap and the second bottom closure flap are configured to engage each other in an interlocking relationship.
 10. A blank for forming a basket lid, comprising: a top wall panel disposed at a center of the blank; a first side wall panel foldably connected to a first lateral side of the top wall panel along a first fold line; a second side wall panel foldably connected to a second lateral side of the top wall panel along a second fold line; and a handle opening disposed in the top wall panel and laterally offset from a central axis of the top wall panel extending parallel to the first and second fold lines, wherein the handle opening is configured to receive a person's hand.
 11. The blank of claim 10, comprising: a first adhesive flap detachably connected to the first side wall panel along a first line of weakness, and a second adhesive flap detachably connected to the second side wall panel along a second line of weakness.
 12. The blank of claim 10, comprising: a first web member foldably connected to a first end of the top wall panel and connected to the first and second side wall panels; and a second web member foldably connected to a second end of the top wall panel and connected to the first and second side wall panels.
 13. The blank of claim 12, wherein the first and second web members each comprise: a rectangular member foldably connected to the top wall panel; a first gusset member foldably connected to the rectangular member and the second side wall panel; and a second gusset member foldably connected to the rectangular member and the first side wall panel.
 14. The blank of claim 10, comprising: first openings disposed partially in the first side wall panel and partially in the top wall panel; and second openings disposed partially in the second side wall panel and partially in the top wall panel.
 15. The blank of claim 14, comprising: first patterns of weakness positioned to allow enlargement of the first openings; and second patterns of weakness positioned to allow enlargement of the second openings.
 16. A basket lid comprising: a horizontally extending top wall; a downwardly extending first side wall foldably connected to a first lateral side of the top wall along a first fold line; a downwardly extending second side wall foldably connected to a second lateral side of the top wall a second fold line; and a handle opening disposed in the top wall and laterally offset from a central axis of the top wall extending parallel to the first and second fold lines, wherein the handle opening is configured to receive a person's hand.
 17. The lid of claim 16, comprising: a first adhesive flap detachably connected to the first side wall along a first line of weakness, and a second adhesive flap detachably connected to the second side wall along a second line of weakness.
 18. The lid of claim 16, comprising: a first web member foldably connected to a first end of the top wall and connected to the first and second side walls; and a second web member foldably connected to a second end of the top wall and connected to the first and second side walls.
 19. The lid of claim 18, wherein the first and second web members each comprise: a rectangular member foldably connected to the top wall; a first gusset member foldably connected to the rectangular member and the first side wall; and a second gusset member foldably connected to the rectangular member and the second side wall.
 20. The lid of claim 16, comprising: first openings disposed partially in the first side wall and partially in the top wall; and second openings disposed partially in the second side wall and partially in the top wall.
 21. The lid of claim 20, comprising: first weakening patterns positioned to allow enlargement of the first openings; and second weakening patterns positioned to allow enlargement of the second openings. 